Nairobi, February 11- A new report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has revealed the hefty bribes Kenyans are forced to pay to access services in public institutions.
The National Ethics and Corruption Survey 2023 highlights corruption trends and unethical practices in public service delivery.
According to the report, Kenyans paid an average of Ksh.162,260 to secure employment, underscoring the severe unemployment crisis in the country. Other notable bribes included Ksh.74,428 for a passport, Ksh.20,300 for a police abstract, and Ksh.17,000 for a government tender.
Institutions with the Highest Bribery Demands
Among public institutions, the highest bribes were paid to:
- National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) – Ksh.81,801
- Judiciary – Ksh.49,611
- Kenya Bureau of Standards – Ksh.40,000
- County Government Offices – Ksh.26,223
- Kenya Power – Ksh.23,738
- County Public Service Boards – Ksh.17,000
- Immigration Department – Ksh.12,570
- Kenya Revenue Authority – Ksh.11,430
- Police – Ksh.11,115
Bribery Rates by County
At the county level, the highest bribes were recorded in:
- West Pokot – Ksh.56,695
- Nairobi – Ksh.37,768
- Murang’a – Ksh.18,378
- Kisii – Ksh.16,810
- Uasin Gishu – Ksh.11,136
Reasons for Bribery
The report found that:
- 38% of Kenyans said bribery was the only way to access services.
- 20% reported that officials directly demanded bribes.
- 19% paid to speed up service delivery.
- 10.5% paid to avoid conflicts with authorities.
The national average bribe surged from Ksh.6,865 in 2022 to Ksh.11,625 in 2023, reflecting a growing corruption burden on citizens.
